Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon

Thousands of Canadians and Americans  participated in this year’s Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon.

Nearly 24,000 runners, walkers and wheelers registered for the thirty-fifth annual event that took over the streets of downtown Windsor and Detroit Oct. 21. The international race began and ended on West Fort Street and Second Avenue in Detroit. The race directed marathoners through historic neighbourhoods to Belle Isle and along both cities’ riverfronts. They also crossed the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor tunnel.

With a wave start, smaller groups of participants were released at two-minute intervals beginning at 7 a.m. to avoid congestion. Registrants had the option of participating in the 26.2 mile course, 13.1 mile course, 5 kilometre run/walk or the five-person relay. It also included wheelchair racers and hand-cyclists.

According to the Detroit Free Press website, the event is considered competitive. A “last chance pacer” bus followed all racers, giving them a fair warning to pick up their pace. If walkers couldn’t keep pace they were required to board the bus that would transport them to the start-finish area. All racers were required to finish the race in less than six hours 30 minutes.

Via-Cheslav Shabunin and Liubov Denisova from New York won the men’s and women’s marathons, respectively. Shabunin, 43, clocked in for the men at two hours 25 minutes 26 seconds. Denisova, 41, won the women’s race with a time of two hours 24 minutes 33 seconds. Each winner received a $3,000 USD prize.

First time marathon participant Adriana Forest from LaSalle, Ont. said the experience was “simply amazing.”

“Running over the bridge was the best part because you could see the sun rising where the tunnel was more hot and eerie. Even though we didn’t run in Windsor long, it was really nice to run right by the University of Windsor because it’s like my home away from home and that’s where I trained the most,” said Forest, 21. “I was thinking about my loved ones who were there to support me the whole time but also really focusing on my music. I was listening to a lot of Eminem, which was appropriate because we’re in the ‘D’ and also Drake because he’s my favourite.”

Forest recently lost weight while training for the marathon. She said she owes her success to her trainer Flo Olteanu from Fit & Healthy Centre in Windsor. Forest finished 3,512 overall with a chip time of five hours 55 minutes 57 seconds. She placed 163 in her division and 1,384 overall for female marathoners.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends and family. Overall the experience was amazing. I’m really tired and sore right now but it was all worth it,” Forest said.

Marathon volunteer Kevin Hansen has been assisting with the race for about eight years. Hansen ran the full marathon in 2001 and said it was an incredible experience. He assisted with traffic control and managing the crowd on Goyeau Street near the tunnel.

“The Detroit Free Press Marathon is a well-organized and well-designed course. You get to run alongside some magnificent people and see beautiful sites. Also, not to mention running on the bridge and through the tunnel … not everyone can say they have done that before,” Hansen said. “You see people of all ages, shapes and sizes participating. I enjoy volunteering because it brings back great memories and I could imagine how much hard work is put into the planning so I like to help in any way I can.”

A few hundred volunteers were crucial to the execution of the marathon, according to marathon coordinators. Food distribution, finish line operators and course marshals were only a few of the positions volunteers assisted with.

Brian Anderson of Canton, Mich. crossed the finish line holding his five-year-old daughter’s hand. He said he found the half-marathon more difficult than the full marathon he ran in 2008.

“All I’m thinking about right now is how much pain I’m in and how much I want to eat,” the 52-year-old said. “I’ve been training for this half-marathon for about six months and every bit of it has paid off. During the race all I was doing was envisioning the finish line. The crowds and entertainment along the run really helped me remember that my pain and tiredness was all worth it. I accomplished something great that I now can cross off my bucket list.”

The Detroit Free Press Marathon created a free app for smart phones to keep track of participant progress in real time, search for available parking, check out post-race photos among other features.

All proceeds from the event support 13 charities including the American Cancer Society, Michigan Humane Society Detroit Centre for Animal Care, The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Next year’s marathon is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 20.

Organizers are counting down the months, days and hours until next year’s race on their website http://www.freemarathon.com.